Blotter attachment for pens



NOV. 12, 1940. SCHRAT'Z j- 2,221,060

' BLOTTER ATTACHMENT FOR PENS' Filed June 20, '1940 INVENTORS Patented Nov. 12, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BLOTTERATTAGHMENT FOR PENS George J 4 Schratz and William H. Funk,

- Pittsburgh, Pa.

Application June 20, 1940, Serial No. 341,472

I, I 10 Claimsl (Cl. 120-26) This invention relates to: penssuch as fountain pens and other types of ink-using pens, and is more particularly concerned with a blotter attachment for such pens.

In connection with ink-using pens, the question of drying the ink has always been somewhat of a problem. For a long time sand or other dry granules were employedfor this purpose, but, of course, such was at best a temporary and inconvenient expedient. Moreover, such practice, while perhaps satisfactory for old fashioned pens, is not at all suitable for use with modern pens such as fountain pens; The common cellulosic blotter is, of course, very extensively employedv today, and while this is satisfactory, it nevertheless requires the provision of separate blotters, with the result that in many cases and under numerous circumstances such a blotter is not handy or available. It would be a matter of great utility were the pens themselves provided with some sort of a blotter, but insofar as we are aware nothing has been done along this line commercially. While there have, we believe, been certain proposals in the past with relation to this subject, so far as we are aware no one has produced a simple inexpensive blotterattachment which is effective and efficient and which has been commerciallyadopted. a

It is, accordingly, one of the objects of this invention to provide a blotter attachment for pens which, formin'g an integral. part of such pens, is always at hand available for use.

Another objectof the invention resides in the provision of an integral blotter attachment for pens which is composed of a. baked andmolded clayey or ceramic material having a highly bibulous character. i A further object of the inventionresides in the provision of a blotter attachment for pens which forms an integral part of the pen structure but which is removable and renewable when so required.

A still further object of the invention resides in so modifying the structure of a pen as to enable the blotter attachment of the present invention to be detachably locked to such pen by means of an extremely-simple joint and at a cost which is comparatively insignificant. r

Other and further objects and advantages will be understood by those skilled in this art or will be apparent or pointed out hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawing wherein we have illustrated av number of forms of the present invention: I

Figure 1 illustrates, partly in elevation and partly in section, a conventional fountain pen providedwith our new invention; i

Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. l but illustrating the application of the present invention to the usual non-fountain type of pen; s5

Fig. 3 illustrates the application of the invention to a streamlined fountain pen such as that used in connection with a desk set;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a modification generally similar to the upper end 10 of Fig. 1 and illustrating in greater detail the operative relationship of the parts and further showing an attachment which is, in part, formed or molded with the pen at the time of manufacture thereof ;,and

. Fig. 5 is a sectionalview taken along the line vV--V of Fig. 4.

Similar numerals designate corresponding par throughout the various views.

Referring first to the form of the invention il-:. 20 lustrated in Fig. 1, itis pointed out that this structural embodiment is adapted for application to fountain pens, already manufactured'in direct contrast toFig. 4, as will be more fully appreciated hereinafter. The fountain pen of Fig. 1,2725 designatedas a whole by the numeral 10, is generally composed of some non-metalliccomposition which may for convenience and brevity herein be termed a plastic or moldable material.

In applying our present-invention to such apen we form an aperture II in the closed end of the conventional cap of the pen and in that aperture we insert adisc-shaped member I2 which, while preferably composed of metal, may be made of any suitable metallic or non-metallic material r and may in particular be composed of a plastic or moldable material. This'disc i2 is countersunk within the closed end of the cap. It is desirable that a. snug fit be produced, and this may be secured in any well-known manner. Where, 40 both fountain pen cap and disc are made of plastic material they may be united chemically or by heat in known manner, i. e., by means of a. solvent or fused by heat.

, This disc 12 has. a short cylindrical shaft-like extension I3 projecting at right angles therefrom. This shaft-like member is preferably made of the same material as the disc I2. The shaft-like member. may, as stated, be cylindrical, i. e., of uniform diameter or cross-section throughout, al-e '50 though we may make it slightly tapering toward' its smaller or distal end. Intermediate its ends the shaft-like member 13 is provided with a circumferential groove or annular recess 14 and in this is disposed a split ring l5, preferably composed of spring wire and. of the nature of substantially a single convolution of a helical spring. The spring is of such nature that it always tends to expand outwardly. The spring is free to rotate in the groove and forms the center of rotation for the bibulous member. In effect, therefore, the spring also acts as a. freely rotatable bearing.

In the form shown in Fig. 1, the blotter material is a tapered cylinder 16 which is composed of a baked and molded clayey material, i. e., a material such as is used for making ceramic ware. This material as molded and fired'is hard and permanent in its character; it is charac terized by extremely high bibulous capacity, being made up as it is of a vast number of capillary passages which extend throughout the material. The blotter attachment is therefore characterized by a very large ability to absorb moisture. The member I6 is provided with a tapering recess I! as will be clear from the drawmg.

Experiments have demonstrated that it is almost impossible to saturate a blotter of this character even when a very considerable amount of fresh wet ink is directly dropped on the blotter as by causing it to be discharged from a fountain pen. Eventually, of course, the blotter will become saturated or nearly saturated but this will not ordinarily occur except after a very considerable period of time. When this does happen, the blotter is replaced and the old one thrown away, the cost being so nominal as to make it unnecessary and undesirable to reclaim the same, although this can be done, if desired, by cleansing in water or a solvent and then drying at a mild heat. Thus it will be apparent that the blotter element I6 is removable and renewable.

It will be noted from Fig. 1 in particular that assembly and disassembly are readily accomplished with a minimum of manual operation. To disassemble, the blotter member I6 is drawn away from the cap in the axial direction there- 'of, the amount of force being inconsiderable and when applied serving to cause member IE to compress the spring element 15 so as to enable the member to be readily removed. After removal, the spring expands, as will be appreciated from what has preceded, but in no case becomes disassociated from the groove I4 in the shaft-like member 13.

In applying a new attachment, the reverse operations are carried out, via, the fresh member is placed over the shaft-like member and forced toward the cap. When the same encounters the spring it compresses the same, enabling the member to assume ultimately the position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, under which conditions the member I6 abuts the annular portion of the cap surrounding the said disc and the shaftlike member extends fully into the recess I1. When the member is fully applied, the spring expands to the maximum amount of which it is capable under the circumstances and grips the sides of the recess l1, thus serving to hold member 16 in position against accidental disassembly. The tapered nature of the recess l1 causes ;the distal end of the member I3 to wedge itself somewhat in the bottom of the recess, thus also tending to retain the parts in the desired state of assembly;

In Fig. 2 the modified form of our invention there illustrated comprises a blotter attachment I'Ba composedof the same material as that of Fig. 1. It will be noted from Fig. 2 that the configuration of the attachment is considerably diiferent, the intention being that a form be employed which will more suitably conform to the shape and type of the desk pen Illa. This is a non-fountain type of pen. With this in mind, it will be apparent that the attachment IE0, is somewhat cigar-shaped, being tapered and rounded at either end, thus also avoiding the use of sharp corners or edges which might catch or break ofi. Otherwise, the modification is substantially that of Fig. 1, as is indicated by the use of similar numerals except that the groove Ma and ring 15a are provided on the end of the pen itself rather than on a separate or integral member. y

In Fig. 3 a familiar type of pen lllb is illustrated such as is commonly employed as a part of what is known as a desk set, the pen having a long slender tapering frusto-conical end l3b. In this case the blotter attachment l6b' is contoured more or less tocorrespond, the princi ple involved'being similar to that of Fig. 2, as will be readily appreciated. As in Fig.v 2, the groove Mb and spring lb of Fig. 3 are formed in the end of the pen itself, and to this extent Figs. 2 and 3 represent very similar forms of the invention but apply to different types of pens to illustrate the applicability and versatility of the invention.

The forms of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, are primarily intendedfor application to pens already produced andon sale or in use. This is not, however, a restriction upon the invention since it is clearly apparent that the blotter attachment in accordance with those figures may. be produced and applied to the pens prior to sale even though already manufactured. It is, however, within the purview of this invention to constitute the shaft-like-mounting as a unitary part of a pen forming a part thereof at the time of manufacture or production. In other words, the shaft-like extension E3 and the disc portion 12 of Fig. 1 may be unitary with the cap of the pen, and may be initially so made. For example, if the pen cap I8 of Fig. 4 is made up of a plastic or non-metallic composition or material, the disc-like portion I20 (not now a distinct element) and the shaftlike extension 130 are made of that same material as is indicated by the continuous cross hatching in Fig. 4. The structure illustrated in this figure, while basically the same as in Fig. 1, is helpful inan understanding as to the mode of operation and therelationship of the parts due to the fact that the larger. scale employed in Fig. 4 makes clearer illustrationpossible. The tapering recess I10 in the blotter attachment I60 of Fig. 4 shows up more clearly as does the wedging of the distal end of the shaft-like extension l3c in the bottom of such recess. Similarly, the diiference in tapering clearly reveals the existence of a tapering annular space. He around the extension. Otherwise the blotter attachment 16c is identical with that of Fig. 1 already described. From Fig. 5 the third dimension of the parts involved will become more clearly apparent, and while the same has been shown as circular such is for illustrative purposes. f j 3 Within the principles and scope hereof we may make various additions, omissions, substitutions and modifications besides those referred to above. Rather the invention is to be defined by the appendedclaims. While we have particularly described the blott'er attachment as being composed of a bibulous ceramic material, 'we do not intend to be limited solely thereto asother bibulous materials of a clayey or similar naturexmay also be employed We do not intend, however, that cellulosic'materials shall constitute any part of this invention, in which term we include unsized papers such as blotting papers and the like. The pen itself may, of course, be of any known shape or material such as rubber, plastic, metal, etc., and the only effect of such upon our invention is a corresponding change in material where the invention is a unitary part of the pen and a change in configuration to conform to or harmonize suitably with the shape of the patricular pen. Our invention involvesthe shaft-like extension either integral or unitary in combination with a bibulous ceramic blotter attachment which is mounted so as to permit of ready rotation, assembly and disassembly.

Having thus described my invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A pen which is provided with a circular terminal portion having a circumferential groove near its extremity, a spring in said groove capable of expansion and contraction, an inorganic bibulous blotter element adapted to be detachably secured to the circular pen portion aforesaid and having a tapering recess within whichfthe said extremity is adapted to be received, the said spring contracting during axial movement of said blotter element but otherwise expanding to grip the interior of said recess, the said blotter element and spring together forming a unit capable of rotation.

2. A fountain pen the cap member of which is provided with an axial shaft-like extension having a circumferential groove intermediate the ends thereof and a single coil spring located in said groove, a bibulous ceramic element characterized by great absorptive capacity rotatably mounted on said shaft-like extension, the said bibulous member being provided with an axial tapered recess adapted to receive said shaftlike extension in such manner that the distal end of such extension Wedges itself in the smaller end of said recess and the said spring expands to grip the interior surface of the said bibulous member.

3. In combination with a pen having a circular portion provided with a circumferential groove and a single coil spring located in said groove, a bibulous ceramic member rotatably attached to the said pen and removably and re- 55 newably mounted thereon, the said pen extending into a suitably configured recess formed in the said bibulous member to effect a wedging action and in such manner as to make the said spring rotate with the said bibulous member.

60 l. A pen which is provided with a circular terminal portion having a circumferential groove near its extremity, a spring in said groove capable of expansion and contraction, an inorganic bibulous blotter element adapted to be detach- 5 ably secured to the circular pen portion aforesaid and having a tapering recess within. which the said extremity is adapted to be received, the

said spring contracting during axial movement of said blotted element but otherwise expanding 70 to grip the interior of said recess, the said blotter element and spring together forming a unit capable of rotation, the pen and blotter element being so configurated as to constitue definite parts of a paricular design motif.

75 5. A pen which is provided with a circular terminal portion having a circumferential groove near its extremity, a spring in said groove capable of expansion and contraction, an inorganic bibulous blotter element adapted to be detachably secured to the circular pen portion aforesaid and having a tapering recess within which the said extremity is adapted to be received, the said spring contracting during axial movement of said blotter element but otherwise expanding to grip the interior of said recess, the said blotter element and spring together forming a unit capable of rotation, the blotter element beingin the form of a tapering cylinder.

6. A pen which is provided with a circularterminal portion having a circumferential groove near its extremity, a spring in said groove capable of expansion and, contraction, an inorganic bibulous blotter element adapted to be detachably secured to the circular pen portion aforesaid and having a tapering recess within which the said extremity is adapted to be received, the said spring contracting during axial movement of said blotter element but otherwise expanding to grip the interior of said recess, the said blotter element and spring together forming a unit capable of rotation, the blotter element being of elliptical form;

7. A pen which is provided with a circular terminal portion having a circumferential groove near its extremity, a spring in said groove capable of expansion and contraction, an inorganic bibulous blotter element adapted to be detachably secured to the circular pen portion aforesaid and having a tapering recessv Within which the said extremity is adapted to be received, the said spring contracting during axial movement of said blotter element but otherwise expanding to grip the interior of said recess, the said blotter element and spring together forming a unit capable of rotation, the blotter element being in the form of an elongated cone.

8. A pen which is provided with a circular terminalportion; having a circumferential groove near its extremity, a spring in said groove capable of expansion and contraction, an inorganic bibulous blotter element adapted to be detachably secured to the circular pen portion aforesaid and having a tapering recess within which the said extremity is adapted to be received, the said spring contracting during axial movement of said blotter element but otherwise expanding to grip the interior of said recess, the said blotter element and spring together forming a unit capable of rotation, the circular terminal portion being an integral part of the pen.

9. A pen which is provided with a circular terminal portion having a circumferential groove near its extremity, .a spring in said groove capable of expansion and contraction, an inorganic bibulous blotter element adapted to be detachably secured to the circular pen portion aforesaidand having a tapering recess within which the said extremity is adapted to be received, the said spring contracting during axial movement of said blotter element but otherwise expanding to grip the interiorof said recess, the said blotter element and spring together forming a unit capable of rotation, the circular terminal portion being a unitary part of the pen.

10. A fountain pen the cap member of which is provided with an axial shaft-likeextension having a circumferential groove intermediate the ends thereof and a single coil spring located in said groove, a bibulous ceramic element characterized by great absorptive capacity rotatably mounted on said shaft-like extension, the said bibulous member being provided with an .axial tapered recess adapted to receive said shaft-like extension in such manner that the distal end of such extension wedges itself in the smaller end of said recess and the said spring expands to grip the interior surface of the said bibulous member, the

shaft-like extension having a terminal disc which is set into the otherwise closed end of the said cap member. GEORGE J. SCI-IRATZ.

WILLIAM H. FUNK. 5 

